§ 516 — Enforcement authority; enforcement orders

(a) Right of access.--A duly authorized agent of the commission or a conservation district shall have authority to enter any agricultural operation at reasonable times to conduct such investigations and to take such actions as are necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter or any order, rule or regulation issued hereunder.

(b) Duty to grant access.--Any person owning or operating an agricultural operation shall grant access to any duly authorized agent of the commission or a conservation district pursuant to subsection (a) and shall not hinder, obstruct, prevent or interfere with such agents in the performance of their duties, provided, however, that agents shall perform such reasonable measures and actions as directed by the owner or operator of an agricultural operation as will reasonably and substantially prevent the spread or outbreak of contagious diseases.

(c) Orders.--The commission or any conservation district delegated enforcement authority may issue such orders as are necessary to aid in the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. Any order issued under this section shall take effect upon notice unless the order specifies otherwise. An appeal of the order to the Environmental Hearing Board shall not act as a supersedeas, provided that, upon application for and cause shown, the hearing board may issue such a supersedeas under the rules established by the hearing board.